Grosvenor Engineering Group (Grosvenor) is the first major technical services company in Australia to introduce a dedicated natural refrigerant technology service for HVACR systems.
Grosvenor currently employs over 800 staff, 400 of which are HVAC technicians and will train all of them in natural refrigerant technology within the next 12 months.
More than 30 technicians will have this specialist accreditation which also includes the safe handling of R32 refrigerant by the end of June. The new technology will be implemented under the company’s HVACR service line.
The group’s managing director, Nicholas Lianos, said Grosvenor staff have been observing market trends overseas and the exponential growth in environmentally friendly HVACR solutions which deliver significant energy savings.
“The technology that underpins the ability to achieve these outcomes is the use of natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons,” Lianos said.
“Hydrocarbon technology offers significant benefits including reduced energy and maintenance costs; diminished carbon emissions and the solution can be delivered as a service, negating capital expenditure.”
Lianos said market research found a gap in the Australian market for technicians that can safely handle, install and maintain natural refrigerant solutions.
“We will soon have a dedicated team of highly experienced and accredited staff equipped to implement natural refrigerant technology in commercial buildings,” he said.
“The aim is to support the multi-billion-dollar Australian commercial office market in reducing its carbon footprint by providing a green alternative.
“If customers use HVACR systems that utilise natural refrigerants they benefit from reduced energy costs, in some cases up to 60 per cent, lower maintenance costs and can sustain a reduced carbon footprint. The business and environmental cases continue to grow stronger.
“Green assets are also more desirable investments for investors. NABERS and Green Star ratings improve property capital values.”
Lianos said it is part of Grosvenor’s DNA to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology used within the built environment.
He said this has been reinforced by the introduction of cyber security for operational technology; indoor air quality monitoring; the continuing development of virtual technicians and building analytics solutions.
According to researchandmarkets.com, the global refrigerants market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.2 per cent between 2018 – 2023. The majority of this growth can be attributed to natural refrigerants, the research firm said.
The Montreal Protocol, specifically the Kigali Amendment has mandated the phasedown of hydroflurocarbons over the next 30 years.